Aberystwyth University’s Pledge to Welsh Medium students

Aberystwyth University is launching a new strategy and vision for its Welsh medium provision. The Welsh Medium Academic Plan will be launched at 6pm tonight, Monday 5 December 2016 in Medrus, Penbryn, at the start of the annual Pantycelyn Christmas Dinner for Welsh students. It’s the most comprehensive strategy of its kind to be drawn up by any university in Wales. It lists in a single document the University's priorities for its Welsh medium provision, and reinforces Aberystwyth’s commitment to promoting the language and culture. As part of the plan, the University will hand out pledge cards to all students who choose to study through the medium of Welsh. The pledges highlight what’s special about Aberystwyth and how the University can offer a complete Welsh experience, including:• Flexible opportunities to study in Welsh in each Institute• Guaranteed Welsh-speaking personal tutor• Bilingual work experience • Guaranteed Welsh medium accommodation• Lessons to learn or improve Welsh• Free Membership of the Welsh students’ union UMCAAnother important element of the policy is the piloting of a unique Conversion Scheme for prospective students who have either followed a Welsh Second Language pathway at school or who lack confidence and are keen to improve their Welsh language skills. The Conversion Scheme will be based on the Late Immersion Provision methodology successfully developed for school pupils.It will include a residential period of intense linguistic training on the University campus during the summer holidays (based on the Summer University model). The aim will be to convert students participating in the training into students who will study 5 or 40 Welsh medium credits. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University said: "Aberystwyth University has always led the higher education sector in terms of Welsh medium provision. What this plan does is ensure continuity and progression of what we already offer while also setting ambitious objectives for improvement and innovation.“In terms of employability alone - one of Higher Education’s most important outcomes - the marked success of graduates who have studied through the medium of Welsh is clear evidence of the value of investment in Welsh medium provision.”Dr Elin Royles is a senior lecturer in the Department of International Politics and Chair of the Aberystwyth Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol: “What’s significant about this plan is that it gives students the opportunity to study modules through the medium of Welsh in almost every academic discipline. There is also depth of provision here, enabling students to follow complete degree programmes through the medium of Welsh.”The new Academic Plan has been welcomed by the President of the Welsh students’ union UMCA, Rhun Dafydd: “I am very pleased that the University is leading on Welsh medium provision in the higher education sector and it shows that Aber is the best place to live and learn through the medium of Welsh.“The Welsh Medium Academic Plan shows the commitment to the development and the future of the language within the University and nationally. I'm extremely pleased that free membership to UMCA is part of the strategy and shows the importance of the social experience to student life in Aberystwyth. Another factor which is an integral part of the Welsh community in Aber is the guarantee of Welsh medium accommodation."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A well known former Llanelli landlady has celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends.On Wednesday Mrs Nesta Williams enjoyed a tea party at Y Bwthyn care home in Bigyn, Llanelli, where she has lived since 2007.
She has two daughters Anne and Joan, two grandchildren and great grandchildren.Mrs Williams was the landlady of the Bull Inn in Anne Street, Llanelli, in the 1950s and 1960s and her late first husband was one of the first people in Wales to open a boxing gym for youngsters.Y Bwthyn manager Heike Clarke said Mrs Williams was quite a character.“She has been here a long time and is part of our family at Y Bwthyn,” she added.Mrs Williams’ daughter Anne Obern said: “My mother’s first marriage was to my father Emlyn Rees who was one of the first to open a boxing gym above the Mansel pub and had three Welsh Champions. He died when he was 46.“My mother worked in service for Mr Davies the Magistrates Clerk and went to work for the brewery. They were asked if they would like t…

Former Gower MP Gareth Wardell was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club held at the Stradey Park Hotel.
Mr Wardell gave an illuminating address, weaving comparisons between his job as a politician and his late father's job as a Tumble barber.
It was an amusing, highly-entertaining and thought-provoking address.
Mr Wardell, now 69, won the Gower constituency seat in a Parliamentary by-election in 1982.
The Labour MP held the seat until his retirement in 1997.
He now works as a public affairs consultant in Wales.
Mr Wardell's Parliamentary term was largely in opposition to Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government. But his did make a significant contribution by being the youngest MP to chair the Welsh Affairs Select Committee.
Mr Wardell recognised that in the 'fame stakes' he may have played second fiddle to his father, Jack, who was one of the UK's oldest barbers and who cut and styled hair for almost 80 years.
Jack Wardell learned …

A Garnant garden is in full bloom, in special memory of a much-loved character who is sorely missed in the community.Bus driver Mark Withers sadly died in May 2013, after a brave fight against cancer. He was known and loved by many, and the whole community got behind him when he starred in the very first series of the popular TV programme The Great British Bake Off.So, when his wife Elaine and son Jethro decided to do something special in his memory, they were not short of helping hands.Their story features on the front cover of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Tenant 2 Tenant magazine, which is written by council tenants.Elaine wanted to talk about her garden project as part of the council’s Pride In Your Patch project, which is part of the council’s £220millionCarmarthenshire Homes Standard investment.“My husband was quite a character locally, and people loved him wherever he went - to say it has been hard without him is an understatement, I miss him every day,” said Elaine.“When he…